Hair Extension Assembly

ABSTRACT

A hair extension assembly for attachment to a user&#39;s hair, includes a first portion including a hair extension strip having a first side to which a first weft of hair is attached; and a second portion including a second hair extension strip having a first side to which a second weft of hair is attached. The first and second portions each include a second side. At least one of the strips includes fasteners on the second side and the other of the strips includes a complementary surface that may include includes fasteners on the second side. The fasteners matingly engage the first and second portions, with the user&#39;s hair disposed between the first and second strips when the first and second portions matingly engage.

PRIORITY

The present application is a Continuation-in-part application and isco-pending with U.S. Provisional Application. No. 62/642,209 filed onMar. 13, 2018.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to hair extensions. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to a hair extension usingfasteners to attach the hair extension to natural or synthetic hair.

Hair extensions are used to add volume, length and other characteristicsto the appearance of a person's natural hair.

Different types of hair extensions have been proposed (e.g., tape-in,sew-in, fusion & pre-bonded, micro-link, clip-in, etc.). However, suchhair extensions have their limitations and can always be improved. Forexample, tape-in extensions are semi-permanent, and are generallyapplied to a person's natural hair only by a trained professional (e.g.,a licensed beautician).

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved hair extension. There isalso a need for hair extensions that do not require the services of atrained professional to apply. There is a further need for hairextensions that can be safely and easily applied and removed at home bya layperson using the extensions on their own hair. There is a need forhair extensions that are temporary. There is also a need for hairextensions that can be applied and removed in a very short time. Thereis an additional need for a hair extension that is easier tomanufacture, assemble, adjust, and maintain. The present inventionsatisfies these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY

The hair extension assembly illustrated herein provides an improved hairextension. The hair extension assembly illustrated herein does notrequire the services of a licensed beautician in a salon to apply. Thehair extension assembly illustrated herein can be safely and easilyapplied and removed at home by a layperson using the hair extensionassembly on their own hair. The hair extension assembly illustratedherein is temporarily applied. The hair extension assembly illustratedherein can be applied and removed in a short time (e.g., a few minutes).The hair extension assembly illustrated herein is easier to manufacture,assemble, adjust, and maintain than currently available hair extensionassemblies. The present invention satisfies these needs and providesother related advantages.

In an illustrative embodiment, a hair extension assembly includes twoadjoining pieces of hook-and-loop strips or fasteners that have hairwefts or strips of hair sewn, fastened or glued to either side of thehook and loop strips. Hair can be made from synthetic fiber, or humanhair. Hair wefts can also be made from a variety of different types ofanimal hair (e.g., yak, horse, donkey, dog, mule, zebra, etc.).

In another illustrative embodiment, a hair extension assembly forattachment to a user's hair, includes a first portion including a firststrip having a first side to which a first weft of hair is attached; anda second portion including a second strip having a first side to which asecond weft of hair is attached. The first and second portions eachinclude a second side; wherein the first and second strips include hookand loop fasteners on the second side. The hook and loop fastenersmatingly engage the first and second portions such that the user's hairis disposed between the first and second strips when the first andsecond portions are matingly engaged.

In a further illustrative embodiment, a method for applying a hairextension to a user's hair, includes providing a hair extension assemblythat includes a first portion including a first strip having a firstside to which a first weft of hair is attached, and a second portionincluding a second strip having a first side to which a second weft ofhair is attached. The first and second portions each include a secondside wherein the strips include hook and loop fasteners on the secondside. In use, a portion of the user's hair is sectioned. One of thefirst portions of the hair extension assembly is then applied under thesectioned hair and the user's hair is threaded over the second side ofthe first portion. The second side of the second portion is then engagedto the second side of the first portion to sandwich the user's naturalhair therebetween. A portion of the hair extension assembly is thecovered with the user's hair over the second sides of the first andsecond portions.

This inventive hair extension assembly can be used by a consumer toeasily attach hair temporarily to themselves or to an animal. The hairextension assembly can be used on both humans and animals to add length,volume, color and styles and adornments (jewelry, tinsel, yarn, string,etc.) to hair.

To apply the hair extension assembly, a user sections a strip of theirhair and sandwich that strip of hair between the hook and loop secondsides of the first and second portions. This can be done on severalplaces on the side, back and top of the user's head to create theappearance of fullness and add length and/or color.

The hair extension assembly gives the user the same “effect” as tape-inhair extensions which are semi-permanent and can only be done by alicensed beautician in a salon. The inventive hair extensions can safelyand easily be applied and removed at home and are temporary and can beapplied and removed in just minutes.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following more detailed description, taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way ofexample, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various present embodiments now will be discussed in detail with anemphasis on highlighting the advantageous features with reference to thedrawings/photographs of various embodiments. The illustrated embodimentsare intended to illustrate, but not to limit the invention. Thesedrawings/photographs include the following figures, in which likenumerals indicate like parts:

FIG. 1 is an elevated view showing both sides of a hair extension;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a hair extension;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a hair extension;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing application of one side of the hairextension to sectioned hair;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a user threading hair between thehook and loop pieces;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing attaching the other side of thehair extension to the natural hair to create a sandwich closure; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the hair extension covered with theuser's own hair.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description describes present embodiments withreference to the drawings/photographs. In the drawings/photographs,reference numbers label elements of present embodiments. These referencenumbers are reproduced below in connection with the discussion of thecorresponding drawing features.

It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the presentinvention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevantfor a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating,for the purpose of clarity, many other elements found in hairextensions. Those of ordinary skill in the pertinent arts may recognizethat other elements and/or steps are desirable and/or required inimplementing the present invention. However, because such elements andsteps are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate abetter understanding of the present invention, a discussion of suchelements and steps is not provided herein. The disclosure herein isdirected to all such variations and modifications to such elements andmethods known to those skilled in the pertinent arts.

As shown in FIGS. 1-7 for purposes of illustration, an embodiment of thepresent invention resides in a hair extension assembly 10 that can beused by a user to temporarily attach hair to themselves, to anotherperson, or to an animal. The hair extension assembly 10 can be used onboth humans and animals to add length, volume, color, styles, andadornments (e.g., jewelry, tinsel, yarn, string, etc.) to a person oranimal's natural hair. The hair extension assembly 10 includes two (2)portions or pieces. The first portion 12 and second portion 14 eachinclude sections that matingly engage each other. Each portion 12, 14includes an elongated hair extension strip 16. Hair wefts or strips ofhair 18 are mechanically and/or chemically fastened (e.g., sewn, glued,etc.) to a first side 17 of each hair extension strip 16 while fasteners20 are attached to at least one of the second sides 19 of the hairextension strips 16. A weft of hair 18 is a single row of hair to bepositioned between the layers of a user's own hair to add length,volume, and other qualities to the overall appearance of the user'shair. Wefts of hair 18 can be made from synthetic fiber, or natural hair(e.g., human, animal (e.g., yak, horse, donkey, dog, mule, zebra,etc.)). The second side 19 of each hair extension strip 16 preferablyincludes matingly engaging fasteners 20. For example, the fasteners 20can be in the form of hook and loop fasteners (also known ashook-and-pile fasteners, touch fasteners, or VELCRO). For example, thesecond side 19 of each of the first portion and second portion, 12 and14 may have similar fasteners 20 that matingly engage each other.Alternately, a hook portion 22 of the fasteners 20 may be located on thesecond side 19 of the first portion 12 and a loop portion 24 may belocated on the second side of the second portion 14. The hook portion 22may tiny hooks, and the loop portion 24 includes “hairy” loops. When thehook and loop portions 22 and 24 are pressed together, the hooks 22catch in the loops 24 and the first and second portions 12, 14 matinglyengage (e.g., fasten or bind temporarily) during the time that the firstand second portions, 12 and 14 are pressed together. Alternatively,other mechanical fasteners can be used including, without limitation,pins, clips, latches, straps, hook and eye fasteners, toggle fasteners,snaps (male and female), male/female engaging fasteners, magneticfasteners, or the like.

In use, in order to apply a hair extension assembly 10 to, for example,human hair H on a head of a user, a user sections a strip of their ownhair, and sandwiches the strip of their hair between the first portion12 and second portion 14. A user may apply a single hair extensionassembly 10 to their hair but a user may also apply multiple hairextension assemblies 10 to their hair at various places on their head(e.g., one or more hair extension assemblies 10 can be applied inseveral places on the side, back and top of the user's head to createfullness, and add length and/or color). In the case of an animal such asa horse, one or more hair extension assemblies 10 can be applied to ahorse's mane or tail.

In the preferred use of the present invention, in order to apply a hairextension assembly 10, the user begins by sectioning a portion of theirhair. One of the first portion 12 of the hair extension assembly 10 isthen positioned adjacent to the hair underneath the sectioned hair andthen is positioned adjacent to the underside of the sectioned hair withthe second side 19 of the first portion 12 facing outwardly. The userthen positions the sectioned portion of their natural hair in thedesired position over the first portion 12. The user then positions thesecond side 19 of the second portion 14 over the user's sectionednatural hair to sandwich the user's natural hair H between the firstportion 12 and the second portion 14. The user then presses thefasteners 20 of the first portion 12 and second portion 14 together tomatingly engage the first portion 12 and second portion 14 to oneanother and create a sandwich closure with the natural hairtherebetween. The user may then position another section of natural hairover the hair extension assembly 10 to cover and hide the hair extensionstrips of the hair extension assembly 10.

Alternatively, the user can create a space between the hair extensionstrips 16 of the first portion 12 and second portion 14, then thread aportion of their hair between the pieces 12, 14 of the hair extensionassembly 10. The user may then press the hook-and-loop fasteners, 22 and24 together to matingly engage the first portion and second portion, 12and 14 with the user's natural hair sandwiched therebetween.Additionally, a plurality of highlights or other desired strands may bepositioned between the first portion 12 and second portion 14 to providedesired accents or highlights that are held in position with the hairextension assembly 10. Either way, when the user's natural hair is heldbetween the first portion 12 and second portion 14, the user may thencover at least the first side 17 and second side 19 of the hairextension assembly 10 with the user's own hair.

Although the present invention has been discussed above in connectionwith use on human hair, the present invention is not limited to thatenvironment and may also be used on other animals including, but notlimited to, horses, dogs, primates, and other animals having hair orsimilar features/structures. The present invention can be used by aconsumer to easily attach hair temporarily to themselves or to ananimal. The present invention can be used on both humans and animals toadd length, volume, color and styles and adornments (e.g., jewelry,tinsel, yarn, string, etc.) to hair.

In addition, the claimed invention is not limited in size and may beconstructed in miniature versions or for use in very large-scaleapplications in which the same or similar principles as described abovewould apply. Likewise, the length and width of the hair extensions arenot to be construed as drawn to scale, and that the lengths/widths ofthe hair extensions may be adjusted in conformance with the areaavailable for its placement. Furthermore, the figures (and variouscomponents shown therein) of the specification are not to be construedas drawn to scale.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusionof a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers orsteps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, orgroup of elements, integers or steps.

The use of the expression “at least” or “at least one” suggests the useof one or more elements or ingredients or quantities, as the use may bein the embodiment of the disclosure to achieve one or more of thedesired objects or results.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As usedherein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and“having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, butdo not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features,integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groupsthereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described hereinare not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance inthe particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specificallyidentified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood thatadditional or alternative steps may be employed.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “engaged to”,“connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may bedirectly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element orlayer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast,when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engagedto”, “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element orlayer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Otherwords used to describe the relationship between elements should beinterpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directlybetween,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein,the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more ofthe associated listed items.

Spatially relative terms, such as “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,”“inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper,”“horizontal,” “vertical” and the like, may be used herein for ease ofdescription to describe one element or feature's relationship to anotherelement(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatiallyrelative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations ofthe device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depictedin the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turnedover, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements orfeatures would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features.Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The above description presents the best mode contemplated for carryingout the present invention, and of the manner and process of making andusing it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as to enable anyperson skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use thisinvention. This invention is, however, susceptible to modifications andalternate constructions from that discussed above that are fullyequivalent. Consequently, this invention is not limited to theembodiments disclosed. On the contrary, this invention covers allmodifications and alternate constructions coming within the spirit andscope of the invention as generally expressed by the following claims,which particularly point out and distinctly claim the subject matter ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair extension assembly for attachment to a user's hair, comprising: a first portion including a first strip having a first side to which a first weft of hair is attached; and a second portion including a second strip having a first side to which a second weft of hair is attached; wherein the first and second portions each include a second side; wherein at least one of the strips include fasteners on the second side and the other of the strips includes a complementary surface to engage the fasteners on the second side of the first portion, whereby the second sides of the first portion and second portion matingly engage the first and second portions together; and whereby the user's hair is disposed between the first and second strips when the first and second portions are matingly engaged.
 2. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein the second side of each of the first portion and second portion include hook and loop fasteners thereon.
 3. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of the second side of each of the first portion and second portion include a mechanical fastener thereon to secure the first strip to the second strip.
 4. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein the second side of each of the first portion and second portion include complementary fasteners thereon to secure the first portion to the second portion.
 5. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein the weft of hair of the first portion has a first length and the weft of hair on the second portion has a second length.
 6. The hair extension assembly of claim 5 wherein the first length of the hair on the first portion is different than the second length of hair on the second portion.
 7. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein the weft of hair of the first portion has a first color and the weft of hair on the second portion has a second color.
 8. The hair extension assembly of claim 7 wherein the first color of the hair on the first portion is different than the second color of hair on the second portion.
 9. The hair extension assembly of claim 1 wherein an adornment may be positioned and secured between the first strip and second strip of the first portion and second portion.
 10. A method for applying a hair extension to a user's hair, comprising: providing a hair extension assembly, comprising a first portion including a first strip having a first side to which a first weft of hair is attached; and a second portion including a second strip having a first side to which a second weft of hair is attached; wherein the first and second portions each include a second side; wherein at least one of the second sides of the strips include fasteners on the second side and the other of the strips includes a complementary surface on the second side; sectioning a portion of the user's hair; applying one of the first and second portions of the hair extension assembly to the sectioned hair; threading a portion of the user's hair over the second side of one of the first and second portions; engaging the other of the first and second portions to the one of the first and second portions to sandwich the user's natural hair therebetween; and covering a portion of the hair extension assembly with the user's hair.
 11. The method of claim 10 further including sandwiching an adornment between the first portion and second portion of the hair extension assembly.
 12. The method of claim 10 wherein the first weft of hair has a first length and the second weft of hair has a second length and wherein the first length is greater than the second length and the first length of hair is applied on the underside of the hair sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion.
 13. The method of claim 10 wherein the first weft of hair has a first length and the second weft of hair has a second length and wherein the first length is less than the second length and the first length of hair is applied on the underside of the hair sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion.
 14. The method of claim 10 wherein the first weft of hair has a first color and the second weft of hair has a second color and wherein the first color is different than the second color and the first length of hair is applied on the underside of the hair sandwiched between the first portion and the second portion.
 15. The method of claim 10 wherein the second side of each of the first portion and second portion are provided with hook and loop fasteners and the sectioned portion of the user's hair is secured therebetween during installation of the hair extension assembly. 